Starting Monday, eight more troopers will patrol Interstates 90 and 271 in Cuyahoga County, in a special detail targeting the kinds of drivers responsible for traffic accidents. The Cuyahoga County Metro Initiative will go after people who drive aggressively, speed, make improper lane changes, follow too close or appear to be impaired.

The patrol will work with local police departments to curb bad driving and bring down the number of accidents they cause. Sgt. R.C. Durant said there were 275 fatal crashes in the county from 2007 through 2010, a quarter of them on the interstates. That's too many, he said.

"We're partnering with local departments to concentrate on high crash areas of 90 and 271," he said, "especially in the Euclid and Bratenahl area and also in the Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake areas."

Durant said eight troopers will be reassigned for the program for six months. Other troopers may come in on overtime for temporary duty. They will be out from 6 a.m. until late afternoon.

The patrol will also have an eye out for drug traffickers and work accident scenes.

"We will look for people transporting drugs on the highways," Durant said. "Local departments have dogs we can use and our criminal patrol teams are also available to bring in dogs to look for drugs."

Last year, from May to October, the patrol beefed up patrols in the county for a crackdown on drunk and impaired drivers. He said the operation was a success but did not have figures for arrests and citations.

Anyone who sees aggressive driving can call the Patrol's Medina post at 330-225-0800.